Forkful Kisses

#14 Thank You, Next

#14 – Thank you, Next

"I've loved, and I've lost."

- Ariana Grande

His words merely scratched me. To my surprise, it barely hurt at all. Deep inside, I had known it all along. It was a fake relationship. I mentally slapped myself for even thinking in that direction. Was I expecting something more? We were using each other – he felt bad about what he did, and I was leeching off him to save myself. It was a mutual relationship that can change depending on the circumstances.

He also needed to mend his own reputation that was crumbling into pieces. And the only way to do it was to prove to the world that his new girlfriend is a smart, elegant lady – not some random girl from the streets. He wanted to prove others that he wasn't a party boy who goes around playing with girls. After all, he was the heir of a huge corporation. No one wants that kind of guy as their big boss.

After Nic had said those hurtful words, he had stormed into one of the lifts and disappeared. Kyle rushed towards the lift before it could close to follow his friend, maybe to calm him down. Before I knew it, both of them had gone, leaving me behind.

And here I was, still stoned from what I just witnessed. Heat was rising up my cheeks from the embarrassment. Suddenly, I felt out of place. All I wanted to do was get back to my own apartment, curl into a ball, and hide from the rest of the world. I just wanted to escape.

But the drama wasn't over yet.

With the fiasco over, Nic's brothers got up to leave as well. As they passed by me, one had the audacity to scan me from head to toe and winked. "I can see why Nic is obsessed with you," one scoffed. He advanced towards me and tried to circle his arms around my shoulders. "Are you bored? Do you want to come play with us—"

By now, my embarrassment had turned into anger. Before he could touch me, I had raised one hand and let it fly across his face. "Don't you dare," I hissed as I watched him widened his eyes. Shock crossed everyone's faces. Who would've thought that Nicholas Wilson's toy had the gut to fight back?

I need no knight in shining armor. I will fight for myself.

Recovering from the shock, the guy I had just slapped turned red as a tomato. With one clenched fist, he was about to launch himself at me, but luckily, Nic's other brothers restrained him. "Let go of me!" he screamed, his eyes full of fury. "That bitch needs a fucking lesson!"

"She's not worth your time," another assured, although his eyes were throwing daggers at me.

"Let's just get out of here," someone else suggested. They all casted one last glare at me as they got on the lift. Not wanting to lose, I folded my arms and frowned at them until the lift doors slammed shut. And finally, I was alone. They were all gone.

So was my reputation. It had definitely gone down the drain.

I released a loud sigh and decided to go as well, but as soon as I turned around, the papers sprawled on the table in the meeting room caught my eyes. At the sight of it, a sudden curiosity sparked within me. I went into the room and scanned the acquisition papers. Nicely, the financial statements and commentaries report were left behind.

I will show them. I am more than just Nic's charity case.

And I got to work. Using everything that I learned at work and from University, I skimmed through the reports. I read through the business idea pitch, and then something caught my eyes. Quickly, I grabbed my phone and began to search for scientific proof. Something was fishy about this biotech company. Their idea was too good to be true – almost not viable.

Immunoassays.

Quick testing.

Test blood within seconds.

For once, I was grateful to have taken AP Biology for high school.

Without realizing it, an hour had passed. Writing down my findings on paper, I glanced repeatedly towards the lift. The last thing I wanted was to have Nic and Kyle see me scrambling through their confidential work and scolding me. I needed to leave asap – no one wanted me here anyways. The last bit of my self-esteems was about to fall like a sandcastle on the beach, slowly awaiting its impending doom from the waves.

I would break if I see Nic or Kyle now.

I left the room and headed towards the lift – just when I heard the sound of cogs and levers, the sign that a lift is going up.

No, I don't want to see Nic or Kyle now.

Frantically, I looked around for another exit. My eyes landed on the emergency exit located at the end of the hall. I sprinted towards the door and got in, right before the lift door opened. Running down the stairs, a rush of adrenaline hit me.

In my head, I was still repeating what Nic had said.

Why the fuck do you bring her here?

I rolled my eyes and scoffed at his comment.

The feeling is mutual. I don't want to see you either.

Bye, Nic.

***

Dedicated to @peanutlim7719 for all the support and kind comments! Thank you so much for reading. It means the world to me <3 love you! <3

This week's chapter is super short, sorry! :(  I've been preparing for an exam on the 8th of December - it's in 10 days omg! I'm currently studying to become a chartered accountant (equivalent of certified public account in other countries) and we need to pass 5 papers... I'm on my third one now: tax! wish my luck! The update next week will also be short unfortunately, but after I'm done with my tax exam, I'll go all out to write again :) See you later!

Also, the biotech company is still based on Theranos :p go check it out if you're interested! It's a blood testing company that claimed they have the technology to do rapid blood tests, even the hardest types of testing. But turns out... it was too good to be true... an interesting scandal to read or watch on youtube :)

Don't forget to vote and comment <3 it'll make my day <3